Seahawks QB Russell Wilson passes on the run game

Russell Wilson made a name for himself on the football field as a dynamic, play-making quarterback. He led the Seahawks to an 11-5 season and a playoff win not only with his arm, but also with his legs.

However, Wilson doesn’t like to use those legs — at least not when he doesn’t have to.

Russell Wilson. (Getty Images)

That’s what the Seahawks’ second-year quarterback said on ESPN’s “Mike & Mike” radio show Wednesday. In discussing his unique skill set, Wilson said he really only runs when there’s a need.

“To be honest with you, I don’t really like running. I’d rather throw the ball to guys and let the true play-makers make the plays,” Wilson said. “When I have to run to get a first down, I’ll do that. If something extra happens, that is always good, too.”

While Wilson has always been a pass-first quarterback — actually tying the rookie record for passing touchdowns in 2012 with 26 — he ran the ball much more than the average pocket passer last season. In fact, Wilson ranked fourth among all quarterbacks in rushes per game last season with 5.9, largely due to the Seahawks’ growing use of the read-option last season.

Wilson also ranked third among quarterbacks in rushing yards last season, totaling 489 yards and four touchdowns in the regular season. So he’s not exactly Tom Brady behind center.

So why then, does Wilson want to ditch the ground game? It’s because, he said, he’s concerned with staying healthy — something of growing concern considering the trend of injuries seen in “running” quarterbacks like Michael Vick and Robert Griffin III.

“The key is protecting yourself — getting down, being smart in certain situations, getting out of bounds, not taking any extra hits,” Wilson told Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg. “I avoided a bunch of hits last year in terms of running once I got downfield. That is the decision-making you have to have when you are running the football.”

By and large, Wilson made a habit of choosing safety over the “big-play” last season, as he often slid or ran out of bounds when defenders were barreling in. And though Wilson wants to remain safe, it doesn’t mean he has to rely solely on his right arm.

ESPN blogger Mike Sando pointed out that much of Wilson’s effectiveness comes from scrambling, not just running. Wilson led the NFL in time spent in the pocket per passing play as well as average time before passing last season, Sando wrote.

Seahawks fans are sure to see the same old Russell Wilson on the field in 2013 — or perhaps an even better Russell Wilson, as head coach Pete Carroll has suggested this offseason.

“I think he’s going to really do well this year,” Carroll said in April. “He’s going to bust out and will benefit tremendously from his first year. It may be hard to imagine he’s going to get any better, but I think he’s going to get a lot better, being he was a first-year starter, first time in the League.”

Ever-optimistic Pete may be right. However, it remains to be seen if “better” entails less running and more passing.